Biotechnology is opening up new horizons in the treatment of wounds: hydrogels based on natural polymers can now be used to create biocompatible synthetic organs. Composed mainly of water and hyaluronic acid, they are capable of creating an antibacterial agent and oxygen when in contact with water and blood. This sort of ‘healing skin’ represents a new type of dressing that is biodegradable in water and can be shaped by means of moulding and 3D printing.